Mugshot of teacher who is accused of having an improper relationship with a student goes viral

Married Texas teacher Sarah Fowlkes is facing backlash for more than just the charges brought against her.

According to the Houston Chronicle, she is accused of having an improper relationship with a 17-year-old student -- but what everyone is talking about is her mugshot. She's beaming.

Photo: Caldwell County Jail

The 26-year-old was suspended from her job as an anatomy and physiology teacher at Lockhart High School after turning herself in to police on Monday.

She had just celebrated her birthday with her husband.

Fowlkes allegedly engaged in "sexual content with the intent to arouse or gratify the sexual desire" of the student, the Daily Star reported.

Fowlkes' lawyer Jason Nassour told NBC Dallas-Fort Worth that the she was smiling in her mugshot because she's not guilty.

"You've got a young lady who was arrested on the statement of a 17-year-old kid with no corroborating evidence," he said. "This isn't a guilty person sitting there like they just got caught. When everything's fleshed out it won't be as it appears."

Officials began investigating on March 10 after getting a tip from a school administrator, and through the probe they found a boy who had been in touch with Fowlkes.

"Lockhart parents entrust their children to us every day, and it is something we do not take lightly," schools superintendent Susan Bohn said in a statement.

Fowlkes has since been released from police custody.